Can gastritis cause palpitations or a feeling of heart palpitation?
Disease description:
I’ve suddenly experienced palpitations over the past two days. I also have gastritis—could gastritis cause palpitations or a sensation of heart racing?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
Gastritis can cause palpitations and a feeling of cardiac anxiety. Since the heart lies above the stomach, gastric distension and upward pressure from various gastric disorders can trigger palpitations and a sense of anxiety via neural reflexes. In patients with hiatal hernia, part of the stomach may protrude through the esophageal hiatus of the diaphragm into the thoracic cavity, compressing the heart and thereby inducing palpitations and feelings of panic. In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric contents—including gastric acid and gas—may reflux into the esophagus. Gastric acid, being highly acidic, can strongly irritate esophageal nerve endings, triggering reflexive palpitations and panic sensations via neural pathways.
